Time Transfer by Laser Link: Data analysis and validation to the ps level

The Time Transfer by Laser Link (T2L2) is a very high resolution time transfer technique based on the recording of arrival times of laser pulses at the satellite. T2L2 was designed to achieve time stability in the range of 1 ps over 1000 s and an accuracy better than 100 ps. The project is in operation onboard the Jason-2 satellite since June 2008. The principle is based on the Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) technology; it uses the input of 20–25 SLR stations of the international laser network which participate in the tracking. This paper focuses on the data reduction process which was developed specifically to transform the raw information given by both space instrument and ground network: first to identify the triplets (ground and onboard epochs and time of flight of the laser pulse), second to estimate a usable product in terms of ground-to-space time transfer (including instrumental corrections), and thirdly to produce synchronization between any pair of remote ground clocks. In describing the validation of time synchronizations, the paper opens a way for monitoring the time difference between ultra-stable clocks thanks to a laser link at a few ps level for Common View passes. It highlights however that without accurately characterizing the onboard oscillator of Jason-2 and knowing the unavailability of time calibrations of SLR stations generally, time transfer over intercontinental distances remain difficult to be accurately estimated.     

A laser-optical system to re-enter or lower low Earth orbit space debris

Collisions among existing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) debris are now a main source of new debris, threatening future use of LEO space. Due to their greater number, small (1–10 cm) debris are the main threat, while large (>10 cm) objects are the main source of new debris. Flying up and interacting with each large object is inefficient due to the energy cost of orbit plane changes, and quite expensive per object removed. Strategically, it is imperative to remove both small and large debris. Laser-Orbital-Debris-Removal (LODR), is the only solution that can address both large and small debris. In this paper, we briefly review ground-based LODR, and discuss how a polar location can dramatically increase its effectiveness for the important class of sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) objects. With 20% clear weather, a laser-optical system at either pole could lower the 8-ton ENVISAT by 40 km in about 8 weeks, reducing the hazard it represents by a factor of four. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a space-based LODR system. We estimate cost per object removed for these systems. International cooperation is essential for designing, building and operating any such system.     

Collaborative optimization design of process parameter and structural topology for laser additive manufacturing

High-resolution laser additive manufacturing (LAM) significantly releases design freedom, promoting the development of topology optimization (TO) and advancing structural design methods. In order to fully take advantage of voxelated forming methods and establish the quantitative relationship between the mechanical properties of printing components and multiple process factors (laser- and process- parameters), the concurrent optimization design method based on LAM should cover the process-performance relationship. This study proposes a novel artificial intelligence-facilitated TO method for LAM to concurrently design microscale material property and macroscale structural topology of 3D components by adopting heuristic and gradient-based algorithms. The process–structure–property relationship of selective laser sintering is established by the back propagation neural network, and it is integrated into the TO algorithm for providing a systematic design scheme of structural topology and process parameter. Compared with the classical optimization method, numerical examples show that this method is able to improve the mechanical performance of the macrostructure significantly. In addition, the collaborative design method is able to be widely applied for complex functional part design and optimization, as well as case studies on artificial intelligence-facilitated product evaluation.     

MC-LRF based pose measurement system for shipborne aircraft automatic landing

Due to the portability and anti-interference ability, vision-based shipborne aircraft automatic landing systems have attracted the attention of researchers. In this paper, a Monocular Camera and Laser Range Finder (MC-LRF)-based pose measurement system is designed for shipborne aircraft automatic landing. First, the system represents the target ship using a set of sparse landmarks, and a two-stage model is adopted to detect landmarks on the target ship. The rough 6D pose is measured by solving a Perspective-n-Point problem. Then, once the rough pose is measured, a region-based pose refinement is used to continuously track the 6D pose in the subsequent image sequences. To address the low accuracy of monocular pose measurement in the depth direction, the designed system adopts a laser range finder to obtain an accurate range value. The measured rough pose is iteratively optimized using the accurate range measurement. Experimental results on synthetic and real images show that the system achieves robust and precise pose measurement of the target ship during automatic landing. The measurement means error is within 0.4° in rotation, and 0.2% in translation, meeting the requirements for automatic fixed-wing aircraft landing.Received 5 July 2022; revised 19 August 2022; accepted 27 September 2022.     

In orbit performance of butane propulsion system

The present work focuses on the determination of the in orbit performance of the Alsat-1 microsatellite propulsion system. The satellite mass is 90 kg, of which 6.2 kg is the propulsion system dry mass. The system is a butane propulsion system using low power resistojet thruster with 2.3 kg of propellant. The liquefied butane gas was selected due to its higher storage density and safety compared to the other propellants used for microsatellites. The purpose of this paper is the analysis of the firings performed after the launch of the satellite and to evaluate the system specific impulse and thrust level during the system lifetime. A total of 273 firings were performed on the Alsat-1 propulsion system in the period between the end of 2002 and mid 2009, the cumulated firing time is more than 12 h 49 min. The analysis of all the propulsion telemetry data shows that the system provides a total mission delta V of 25.3 m/s which is more than the 10 m/s specified for this mission. Furthermore, the mission average specific impulse and thrust are respectively 99.9 s and 48.8 mN.     

基于模型的故障诊断方法在飞船推进系统中的应用

在飞船推进系统的物理和数学模型的基础上,研究了基于模型的故障诊断方法在飞船推进系统中的应用。该方法是某飞船推进系统状态监测与故障诊断专家系统中的关键技术之一。仿真结果表明,这项技术的提出和应用使得根据系统模型对推进系统的不可预知故障进行监测和诊断成为可能。     

氟化氢激光烧蚀铝靶冲量耦合系数实验

为了研究激光功率密度对氟化氢激光与铝靶相互作用过程中冲量耦合系数的影响,分别在大气和真空中,用聚焦后的激光烧蚀铝靶,通过改变聚焦到铝靶的光斑大小,得到冲量耦合系数和激光功率密度的关系,并将该实验结果与CO2激光和铝靶相互作用的实验结果进行比较。结果表明,氟化氢激光与铝靶相互作用得到的冲量耦合系数和激光功率密度的关系与CO2激光不同。大气和真空中,氟化氢激光与铝靶相互作用开始出现冲量传递的阈值分别约为8.03×106W/cm2和7.69×106W/cm2,并且这两种情况下,氟化氢激光器与铝靶相互作用得到的最大冲量耦合系数均高于CO2激光。     

冲击凹柱面靶板的流场结构实验

采用烟线法研究了冲击凹柱面靶板的流场结构。研究中改变冲击雷诺数Re,冲击距-冲击孔直径比H/d以及冲击靶面相对曲率d/D等参数,利用数码摄像机拍摄流场结构随这些参数的变化规律。研究结果表明:上述参数均影响了冲击凹柱面靶板的流场结构,而且影响规律表现出较强的关联性。实验中,随冲击雷诺数Re的增加或冲击距-冲击孔直径比H/d的减小,在冲击滞止区域两侧形成的稳定旋流结构与冲击靶板分离处的圆心角增大,分离推迟;同时在实验中发现冲击靶板的曲率半径和冲击导管直径之间存在一定的匹配关系(d/D)使流体沿壁面运动的距离最长。     

热障涂层无损检测技术进展

热障涂层(TBC)是航空航天发动机涡轮叶片的主要防护材料,对其进行表面裂纹缺陷和界面脱粘缺陷的无损检测具有重大意义.对热障涂层的传统检测方法(如渗透检测、涡流检测、超声或超声显微检测等),以及新型红外热成像方法在内的无损检测方法进行了介绍和归纳,重点介绍了光激励、涡流激励和超声激励3种主动式红外热成像无损检测技术.其中,对激光扫描热成像法进行了详细介绍,该方法具有非接触、操作简单、灵敏度高、全场范围内检测快速的优点,能够实现宽度为10μm以上的裂纹和直径为1mm以上脱粘缺陷的无损检测;透射式涡流热成像具有识别小于1mm脱粘缺陷的能力.     

卫星推进系统温度均衡性控制方法研究

卫星推进系统在轨需要进行温度控制,尤其需要对推进系统的贮箱、管路温度进行合理的控制。针对小卫星、微小卫星热控资源紧张的情况,以及当前的热控设计方法在不同温度环境分布的推进系统应用中存在的温度分布不均的情况,提出了一种优化的推进系统热控设计方法。在常规热控设计方法中考虑测温点最小值的同时,考虑了测温点的最大值因素,并根据最小值、最大值与控温区间的关系确定加热回路的开/关关系。采用本方法在整星热平衡试验中对推进系统进行了温度控制验证。试验结果验证了同时考虑控温区间上限和下限的热控设计方法的可行性和合理性。卫星在轨飞行阶段的推进系统参数验证了该温度控制方法能获得更好的推进系统温度分布均匀性,并保证了工作温度区间上限的裕度。